Plans for additional special educational needs school places in Medway

Plans for additional special educational needs school places in Medway

Published: Wednesday, 4th September 2019

Council land has been earmarked for a new school building and could be used to increase the number of specialist school places in Medway.

Last year Medway Council carried out a review of school places available across Medway up until 2022 to ensure there is sufficient supply of good quality school places across all types of schools – maintained, academy and schools for pupils with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).

There is a growing demand for school places for children with SEND.

Council land in Cornwallis Avenue, Gillingham, has been earmarked for a new school building and could be used to increase the number of specialist school places in Medway and reduce the number of children who need to be placed out of area to meet their educational needs.

Medway Council has been working with a number of partner agencies including the Regional Schools Commissioner and the Education and Skills Funding Agency to ensure the demand for specialist places in Medway is met.

The council is also in ongoing talks with the Department for Education.

'This is great news for Medway's young people'

Cllr Josie Iles, Portfolio Holder for Children’s Services (Lead Member), said: “This is great news for Medway’s young people. We understand that after 2020 more children will require a place at a special school to enable them to receive the specialist support they need to help them achieve their full potential. We are committed to ensuring that every child in Medway receives the best start in life and has the opportunity to study in Medway. We will continue to talk to partner agencies and we are looking forward to seeing plans progress.”